Ore-separator.



PATENTED OCT. 10, 1905.

L. J. VANDERVOORT.

' ORE SEPARATOR.

APPLIOAIION IlLBD APR. 27.1904.

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z SHEETSSHEET 2.

L. J. VANDERVOORT. ORE SEPARATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 27,1904.

UTED STATES mrnivr tries.-

ORE-SEPARATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 10, 1905.

Application filed April 27, 1904. Serial No. 205,163.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LoIs J. VANDERVOORT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Guthrie, in the county of Logan and Territory of Oklahoma, have invented a new and useful Ore-Separator, of which the following is a specification.

'My invention relates to improvements in ore-separators, especially those adapted for use in connection with placer-mining.

The general objects of the invention are to producea cheap, simple, effective, and readily accessible and operated machine for the purpose of conveniently and rapidly separating the ore from the dry placer-dirt.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of an ore-separator embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional View of the same on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail in elevation of one of the riffie-clearers. Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the separator. Fig. 5 is a detail view, in side elevation, of one of the beating-frames hereinafter referred to. Fig. 6 is a vertical central longitudinal sectional view of the machine. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing the beating-frame in edge elevation. Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 12 are details hereinafter referred to. Fig. 11 is aview similar to Fig. 1, showing the opposite side of the separator.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the views of the drawings.

The machine includes an inclined sluice-box a, mounted upon suitable legs, a hopper 5 at its elevated end, and below the latter a fancasing Z. WVithin the latter is a horizontal fan-shaft X, from which radiate arms r, provided with blades.

The legs for supporting the separator may each comprise two overlapping sections t If, one being provided with a slot 3/, through which an adjusting-bolt g passes and by means of which the legs are made adjustable in height. Similarly-adj ustable brace-sections 2 may connect the legs, said sections having a slot-and-bolt connection g 3 The fan-casing, as is usual, may have side air-inlets X and dampers r may be adjusted thereover by the usual slot-and-bolt connection S.

\Vithin the hopper b is formed the reduced mouth or discharge C, terminating immediately above an adjustable feed device. (See Figs. 6, 8, and 10.) This feed device comprises a reciprocating feed-board (Z, provided within the hopper with a series of feed-openings e and outside the hopper with a slot f. A vibratory lever O is fulcrumed, as at m, on a bell-crank Z, fulcrumed outside of the casing at n, and said crank at its upper end loosely engages with opening f of the feedboard. 7 The lever O is given motion in any desired manner, but preferably as hereinafter described, and in turn reciprocates said feedboard through the instrumentality of the bellcrank. A gage-board g is located adjacent to and immediately below the feed-board and is designed to more or less close the openings 0. Any desired mechanism may be employed for this purpose, but preferably that shown, which consists of duplicate levers t', fulcrumed at their outer ends, as shown, and between their ends loosely connected by links 7c to said board. An operating-lever it is connected at one end to one of the said fulcrum-points and at or near its middle to the inner ends of the said levers 2', this latter connection being effected through links J. Below the feed device of the hopper is located the inclined chute p, which terminates in a reduced mouth or discharge Q.

For the purpose of giving access and also a clear view to the machine for making repairs and observations glass sashes or panels to may at intervals be located in the roof of the sluice-box. 1

The bottom Z of the sluice-box is preferably formed of some flexible materialsuch, for example, as canvas, leather, &c.-and the same is supported at intervals by cross-pieces Z At intervals, preferably in front of each cross-piece Z a transverse opening or oredischarge Z is formed, the same being closed when the machine is in operation by closures a, hinged, as at V, or otherwise secured to the cross-pieces Z Immediately in rear of each discharge Z and within the casing of the sluice-box inclined riffles K are located, the same being preferably slightly elevated or raised at their ends, as best shown in Fig. 2.

A reciprocating shaft 2. is located above each riffle, and each of said shafts has depending therefrom a series of riffle-clearers or agitating-arms S, preferably formed of metal. and depending within avery shortdistance of the bottom Z of the sluice-box and immediately in front of the riffle and over the ore-discharge adjacent thereto. These arms or clearers are backwardly and forwardly disposed (see Figs. 2, 3, and 6) to form feet 3 at their lower ends, the heels of which project somewhat under the riflies.

Suitably journaled and extending transversely under the sluice-box are shafts 91, journals n being provided for their accommodation in the walls of the sluice-box and below the bottom thereof. Each shaft n carries a heater which in the present instance is in the form of a rectangular frame 0', rigidly secured upon the shaft. The shafts '12. are extended beyond one of their bearings and provided with beveled gears It, which in turn mesh with and are driven by gears g, mounted upon a shaft 9 journaled in bearings which extend from'the wall of the sluice-box. (See Fig. 4.) Each of the heaters 0 when rotated is designed to beat against and somewhat violently agitate the flexible bottom Z, and for the purpose of obviating wear of said bottom there may be employed at proper points wear-plates m, adapted to receive the impacts or blows of the heaters. (See Figs. 2, 7, 9, and 12.)

At the upper end of the shaft a gear f is located. A gear a1 may be journaled on a bearing-bracket 91 and also mesh with the gear a and, having a pin J, may engage loosely with the lower end of the vibratory lever O and serve to operate the same.

The shafts t, which have theirends projecting through the casing at the opposite side of the machine, are by short connecting-links a connected with and operated by a longitudinally-disposed crank-shaft V, supported in bearings o".

A band-pulley a is located onapoWer-shaft Z and may receive motion from any motor, (not shown,) and beyond the pulley said shaft also carries a beveled gear An inclined counter-shaft X is jo urnaled above the powershaft and at its lower end carries a beveled gear 5], meshing with and driven by thegear m. A similar gear y is located on the upper end of the shaft X and transmits motion through an intermediary gear X. to a corresponding gear 20, located on one end of the crank-shaft V. Upon the fan-shaft is located a beveled gear C, the latter, With the fanshaft, receiving motion from a gear 7), located at the end of a second counter-shaft 6 This second counter-shaft receives motion through a gear 6', meshing with the gear Of course this arrangement of gears and shafts is a matter that may be changed without departing from the invention described.

The auriferous dirt is of course first introduced into the hopper, from which its discharge is regulated by the feed mechanism described and which serves by its vibrations to cause more or less separation. The mixtom of the sluice-box.

from the chute and from thence on it is sub jected to the blast of air emanating from the fan. The dirt is then subjected to the violent agitation of the flexible bottom of the sluicebox and comes successively under the influence of the riflie-clearers S and against the riffles K. As the ore is separated, being of greater specific gravity than the dirt, it is caught by the riflles, the remaining dirt and orc passing on to the next riflle, and so on, the tailings passing out at the end of the sluice-box. By opening the closures "u" the ore caught by the riffie-bars or riflies may be withdrawn. Of cource the sluice-box may be any length, increased length being provided for by connecting a series of sections, as I have described, together. By elevating the ends of the riflies or. forming the riflies with ends somewhat higher than the middles the dirt is prevented from overflowing at the ends, such being a natural tendency in view of the fact that the bottom Z of the sluicebox is practically stationary.

The plates on besides serving the function of wear-plates also by reason of their superficial nature serve as a means of causing the flexible bottom Z to vibrate.

The transverse shafts 12. may be longitudinally slotted, as at p, and in such slots the heaters 0' may be located and held adjustably by any suitable means, as set-screws Q. (See Figs. 5 and 7.) The beaters in this instance are rectangular frames; but of course their shapes may be altered, as well as the manner of mounting them on the shafts and rendering them adjustable.

A longitudinal bar 6 for simultaneously rocking the riflie-clearer shafts t may be connected by keys at thereto, the purpose being to rock the shafts and elevate all the riflieclearers S for adjustment and inspection of the separator. The rod 6' may be secured by a thumb-nut or other means when thus elevated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An ore-separator, comprising, a sluicebox provided with a flexible bottom having a plurality of transverse discharge-openings, closures for said openings, heaters arranged at intervals undersaid bottom, and means for operating said heaters.

2. An ore-separator, comprising, a sluicebox provided with a flexible bottom having a plurality of discharge-openings, closures for said openings, aseries of rotatable heaters ar ranged under said bottom and adapted to contact therewith for agitating the same, and means for rotating said heaters.

3. The combination, in an ore-separator, of an inclined sluice-box having a substantially plane bottom provided with a plurality of discharge-openings, temporary closures for the same, riflies rising from and. inclined with relation to the bottom and located below the lower edge of the openings, means for agitating the contents of the box comprising rotary beaters arranged at intervals below the bottom of the box and adapted to strike said bottom, a feed located at the upper end of and above the sluice-box, and means for deliver-- ing a blast of air below the feed and into the upper end of the sluice-box.

4:. An ore-separator, comprising, a sluicebox having a flexible vibratile bottom provided between its ends with a transverse discharge-opening, a rotary vibrator arranged under and in contact with said bottom, and a removable closure for said discharge-opening.

5. An ore-separator, comprising, a sluicebox having a flexible bottom provided with a plurality of discharge-openings, closures for said openings, wear -plates secured to said bottom, transverse shafts arranged below said wear-plates, means for rotating said shafts, and beater-frames mounted on said shafts to rotate therewith and adapted to deliver their blows against said wear-plates.

6. In an ore-separator, the combination, of a sluice-box having a flexible bottom, a series of shafts arranged thereunder and provided with pinions, a longitudinal shaft having pinions engaging those on the series of shafts, means for driving the longitudinal shaft, and rectangular frames mounted on said latter shafts and adapted to beat against said flexible bottom.

7. In an ore-separator, the combination, of a sluice-box having riffle-bars inclined with relation to the sluice-box, said riffle-bars being slightly raised at their ends, a flexible bottom for the box, heaters arranged under the bottom, and reciprocating clearers in advance of the riflies and extending under the same.

8. In an ore-separator, the combination of a sluice-box, and riflle-bars arranged at intervals therein, said bars having their ends elevated above their middles, and agitating means arranged adjacent to the riffles.

9. In an ore-separator, the combination of a sluice-box, having riffle-bars arranged upon clearers depending from the shafts in front of the bars.

10. In an ore-separator, the combination, of a sluice-box, riffle-bars arranged on the bottom bf the same and inclined with relation thereto, a reciprocating shaft arranged above each riflie-bar, means for reciprocating said shafts, and clearers, S, depending from each shaft and at their lower ends bent to form feet 8.

11. In an ore-separator, the combination with the sluice-box having a hopper, of a feedboard mounted for reciprocation in the hopper, means for operating the feed-board, said board being provided with a series of openings, a gage-board mounted to cover the openings, a pair of levers pivotally supported at their outer ends, fulcrums in connecting the said board to intermediate points of the levers, the pivotally-supported operating-handle it, and the connecting-links J between the operating-handle and the levers 21.

12. In an ore-separator, the combination, of a sluice-box having a flexible bottom provided at intervals with transverse openings, heaters arranged under the bottom, means for operating the beaters, transverse riffles arranged in rear of the openings, reciprocating shafts arranged above the openings, means for operating said shafts, clearing devices depending from the shafts in front of the riflies, and closures for the openings.

13. An ore-separator, comprising, an inclined sluice-box containing separating mechanism and terminating at one end in a fancase, a chute arranged above the sluice-box and communicating with the latter at its junction with the fan and having an inclined discharge contracted at its lower end, a hopper arranged above the chute, a reciprocating feed-board mounted in said hopper and having openings, and a gage-board adjustably mounted with relation to said openings.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOIS J. VANDERVOORT. l/Vitnesses:

J. N. CURL, M. VANDERVOORT. 

